A Brief Summary of Maryland Tint Laws
In the state of Maryland, the tint laws are set in place to control the amount of visible light that is allowed to pass through a vehicle’s windows. These regulations aim to ensure safe visibility for both the driver and those outside the vehicle, minimizing any potential obstructions that could impede the driver’s view and affect the safety of pedestrians, cyclists, and other drivers on the road.
Maryland’s tint laws are designed to strike a balance between privacy concerns and safety issues. The purpose of the law is to prohibit window tint from making it difficult for a law enforcement officer or other individuals to see into the vehicle at all times. Tinting that is too dark may prevent police from easily viewing a driver and passengers, which could pose a danger when a simple traffic stop turns into a more serious situation.
In addition to safety concerns, the law also helps to protect against harmful UV rays and excess heat that can harm the vehicle’s occupants and interior. As many of us know, ultraviolet (UV) light can cause skin damage and take a toll on the vehicle’s upholstery and interior components. By utilizing the permissible tint percentages as outlined in Maryland tint laws, consumers can reduce the amount of UV light that enters the vehicle . Similarly, too much visible light can lead to increased heat and discomfort for the occupants. Too much tint will make the vehicle’s interior excessively hot, defeating the purpose of air conditioning that is supposed to help improve comfort.
The Maryland tint laws vary by the type of window, meaning they are different for the front and rear windows and back windshield. The percentage of VLT allowed in Maryland is not only based on the window location, but also on the type and make of the vehicle. Additionally, the window treatment types and materials can affect the tint requirements.
While the tint laws are not too restrictive, throughout the state, some law enforcement officers may still view even the lesser-tinted windows as too dark. If a police officer pulls over a driver for any of a multitude of reasons and believes that the tint on the driver’s vehicle to be too dark, the officer may pull them over and issue a citation.
It is important for consumers to stay within the limits of the law and to seek an expert’s help when seeking to have their windows tinted in order to make sure that it is done legally. If tint is applied that is too dark or a type that the law prohibits, it could lead to costly fines or even the removal of the tint.
Window Tint Percentages Allowed by Law
Understanding the percentage of tint allowed on your windows is a crucial part of staying on the right side of Maryland’s tint laws. In this state, the percentages correspond with luminous transmittance – or VLT for short – which refers to the measure of how much light can get through the tint. It is measured as a percentage of light entering the window, with 100% meaning totally clear and 1% meaning a tiny sliver of tint.
For passenger cars and SUVs, the legal percentage of tint on the windshield is a maximum of 35% VLT on the front windshield, 20% VLT of the side and rear windows and 35% on the back windshield. For vans that meet the definition of a multi-purpose vehicle (MPV), window tint may be up to 35% VLT on the windshield, 35% on the front driver’s side and passenger’s side windows, 20% on the back side and rear windows and 20% on the rear windshield.
Vans that do not meet the MPV definition may have the same amount of tint on the windshields and back windows as passenger cars and SUVs, plus 20% of the back side and rear windows.
Aftermarket tinting may also be applied to open-roof vehicles, which are vehicles that either come off the assembly line with a factory sunroof or have a sunroof installed by a manufacturer or authorized aftermarket dealer. Vehicles with hatchback doors that is considered an extension of the roof also fall under this category. Legal VLT levels for the tint on these open-roof vehicles is 20% for the front windshield and all over the back, regardless of whether the back window is technically inside the vehicle or outside.
Exemptions and Restrictions
Exceptions to Maryland Tint Law exist for certain medical conditions that require the use of darker tinted window film on a vehicle for sun protection. Medical exemptions available in Maryland apply to the window film that is applied to the ‘driver’s level windows’ in the front and/or rear. To be eligible for a medical exemption, you must have a written statement from your eye care doctor, ophthalmologist, or optometrist stating the medical reason and the level of tinting required on your vehicle. The medical exemption form must be completed and sent to the Department of Motor Vehicle, Bus Pass Division for approval.
The tint exemption for medical conditions such as Xeroderma Pigmentosa (XP), Albinism, Systemic Lupus Erythematosus, Erythropoietic Protoporphyria (EPP) and Porphyria Cutanea Tarda (PCT) can be used to apply to windshield tint darkness restrictions. However, even with medical exemptions available for headlights, tint darkness restrictions still apply so those are not an exemption. In addition to tint darkness, there are also tint reflectivity restrictions on the use of reflective tint on vehicles faster than 30% on the front windshield. For rear windows, there must not be more than 43% reflectivity. Medical exemptions from the rules and regulations are not a guarantee for new vehicles in Maryland.
While there are some exemptions for window tint film and/or dark tint exemptions for vehicles with low-light conditions, these exemptions are not applicable to all vehicle windows. For example, an exemption does not allow tint restrictions to be broken on the windshield. Exemptions are also not for every single window when it comes to dark tint for windshields than are considered factory tint. Other exemptions such as mirror tint exemptions are not subject to these restrictions. Mirror tint exemption applies to both rear and front windows.
While some laws exempt window tint films for commercial vehicles, tinting the back glass on a semi-truck or a commercial box truck can reduce the likelihood of mechanical failure.
For trucks, a factory tint exemption might be used if the truck is older and the tint is darker than Alabama law says. A factory tint exemption, for a truck for example, allows the tint to stay on the back glass even though it would be illegal for tint to be added.
Other exemptions may be applicable to light tint on windshields that are not for every single window. Exemptions from tint restrictions for dark film and/or complete tint exemptions can include anything from federal laws to exceptions with specific states such as Alabama tint restrictions. Even so, the windshield must be a lighter-color or none at all.
Consequences for Illegal Tint
Any vehicle found to be in violation of Maryland vehicle tint laws may be cited and fined for the infraction. The fine amount for only one violation is $70, and repeat offenders face a $90 fine for each additional violation. To prevent people from exposing themselves to high fines by fixing the front windows first, followed by the rear windows, a $100 fine is also levied on a second offense for the rear windows.
For those few vehicles which require window tint beyond what is allowed by law, exemptions may be applied for, and approval will be granted only if the justification for an exemption is medically required . Furthermore, the owner must file an Affidavit regarding Medical Exemption with the MVA. A list of pro bono medical exemptions is available on the MVA website.
It is important to note, however, that the exemptions issued only allow for a level of tint darker than that which is legally allowed. There is no state or local exemption for the use of red, amber, or blue vehicles on the front or passenger side of the vehicle. All of these colors are strictly prohibited in Maryland, regardless of whether there is an exemption that allows for their use.
Applying Tints Lawfully
Before you pick up the phone to schedule that tint installation, read these handy tips for ensuring your window tints will comply with Maryland laws:
Hire a professional installer.
Sure, it’s great to get a deal on a tint kit you can install yourself, but this is something that could come back to haunt you later. The tint installation may void your vehicle’s warranty or even lead to your car windows shattering upon impact in a car accident. Besides, you probably want the installer to have been in business for a number of years so you can trust their work, and the tint they put on your vehicle will most likely only be as effective as the quality of the tint itself. It’s well worth the extra money to hire a professional.
Hire an installer who is certified.
Windshields may only have a tint of up to 35 percent darkness on the top section. You’ll want to make sure your installer will only use tint that meets this requirement. Also, check to see your installer is certified with the Maryland State Police. There are no exceptions, special permits or "grandfathers" for tinted windows in this state, so have your installer obtain a signed Maryland State Police inspection permit for each vehicle.
Test the tint before driving away.
A reputable installer should have all the equipment necessary to inspect tint. This includes a tint meter and a designated area for shade testing. Don’t accept your installer telling you your tint has met the required levels. You have the right to be present when they test the tint to make sure it is legal.
Know the requirements for your state.
Some states have different laws regarding tint on the rear windows and windshield. To avoid confusion, consult our post on the regulations surrounding tinting your windows and then make sure to review them with your installer.
Common Queries
How Does Maryland’s Tint Law Apply to Windshield Tint?
Under Maryland tint law, the front windshield of a vehicle may be tinted to a light 35% VLT, but only to the extent that the tint does not extend below the AS-1 line at the top of the windshield or the first five inches of the interior edge of the glass. Therefore, any strip of tint that runs parallel to the AS-1 line or the top five inches of the interior edge of the windshield will be illegal in Maryland.
Can I Change the Tint on My Windshield Once I’ve Already Registered My Tint?
No, once you’ve registered your windshield tint through an authorized vendor, you may not change it without re-registering the tint and paying another fee. The fine for failing to register is $50, and the fine for having non-compliant tint on your windshield is $90, but those fines don’t apply to the initial registration of your tint. If that is the only tint that is illegal on your vehicle, then you can simply avoid having the tint on your vehicle when it is inspected; however, if you want to keep the tint on your vehicle for aesthetic or other purposes, this method of compliance may be problematic.
Can you Plead Down a Tint Ticket?
Yes, while a tint ticket is a $90 fine, it is not a moving violation . Many jurisdictions will allow it to be pled down to a non-moving $70 fine. If you are able to have the ticket pled down, there is no need to get a Certificate of Compliance completed. However, if you are trying to beat the ticket and you are ultimately found guilty of the charge, you will still be personally responsible for obtaining a COC and submitting it to MVA.
If I Have a "Medical Exemption" for My Tint, Will That Work for My Windshield?
While there are medical exemptions for individuals who suffer from certain medical conditions, these medical exemptions are for the rear windows of the vehicle only. Here, the type of tint listed as exempt from the percent VLT requirement is generally dyed film, but the film seems to be of a significantly increased darkness that is not permitted on front windows. The reason is likely that the VLTs used in the examples are much higher than the usual tint on vehicles, and that is consistent with why they are medical courtesy tint. In assessing whether an exemption is applicable to windshield tint, officers will be looking for dyed film and not metal or mirror tint, which do not qualify for a medical exemption.